3alarmer 

.
...I dimly recall reading something about these in some dingy corner of the internet, about the contract builder, but I can't find it. Which is no big deal, because contract built frames that are not credited are sort of par for the course from this period in Italy.

If you look here, you'll see that for about the first ten years he owned the company, Colombo was trying to steer it in the direction of more American market share. I think this frame is from about the end of that, when he finally decided the real future of the company lay in going for a more high end, exclusive nature, and all the art philosophy started showing up in their advertising. Anyway, there's nothing at all second rate about Cromor tubing, IMO. I have several frames made from it, and I can't really say it makes a difference in the way they feel or handle on the road. They just cost a little less to make and buy at the time. Yours has a nice mix of components, but if it doesn't really fit you, I wouldn't think twice about stripping them off and selling on the frame.

Frames that almost, but don't quite fit you are vexatious things to have around.


^^^sometime around 1979 or 1980. Note the variety in the product line.

N2deep

Beautiful Bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're a lucky man!!

panzerwagon 

Fantastic link and TIL, thanks. I didn't even know they made BMX frames. Never seen one of those in the wild...

3alarmer 

...IKR ? I have yet to see my first Cinelli mountain bike in person, yet I'm told they were made in quantity for a number of years.

microcord

I've got one myself and I do like the ride, what's left of the periwinkle blue colour, and the ample clearance for 28 mm tyres.

I'm not competent to judge the craftsmanship; but I'm mightily unimpressed by

• the varying glossiness of what remains of the periwinkle blue
• the proneness to flake off of said remains
• the zig-zags and black splodges (both of which look to me like the lamest attempts to be "artistic" or "exciting" or both) that disfigure the periwinkle blue
• the dull slogan along the top tube (my own was worn off and painted over by a previous owner, I'm glad to say)
• the rust-inviting top-tube holes for the brake cable (a crap solution to a non-existent problem)

I'm also not qualified to compare one tubeset and another, but I think I've read that Cromor was used for frames for heavier riders. If so, that might somehow square with the keep-fit slogan along the top tube.

To me, it's a bike that cries out for good Suntour parts. As these can be expensive or elusive where I happen to be, I settled for new Japanese parts. I like the result. Perhaps one day I'll have the frame powdercoated in periwinkle blue; and I might even get a proper headbadge and think of some wittier Latin to go along the top tube.

smd4

Probably best to sell the frame to someone who would appreciate it.

microcord

Oh I do appreciate it, despite its shortcomings. It and I have been on some memorable adventures. (Shibu pass, for one.)

smd4

Hard to tell, when all you do is list its shortcomings and threaten to dress it in Suntour.

panzerwagon 

As much as I love this frame, I have to agree with this. Every time I replaced cables over the years, the top tube cable has always emerged rust-covered, and I’ve never stored it outdoors or ridden in a downpour. I’m very much not a fan of internal cable routing for steel frames.

CriticalThought — I would definitely get that cable out and inspect the area.

CriticalThought

Good call panzerwagon !

CriticalThought

I like seeing the Cinelli logos in the lugs, but I don't recognize the letters on the brake bridge. Anyone know? Looks like something... DEP?

Dylansbob 

They do apparently exist, probably all NOS like this one.
​​​​​​

CriticalThought

So it's been a while and other projects have had my focus... but I can't believe this epic picture (puh-leeez no Borat comments!) had THIS glorious frame in it all along.

You can't really fault me for not focusing on the frame/bike in the pic... the rest of the composition is distracting to say the least... in it's asweomeness.

Anyway, I just had to share. I recently bought Lodovico Pignatti Morano's famous "Cinelli Book" and while it has yet to arrive, I noticed this photo when trying to look at previews in my eagerness whist waiting for it to arrive.

This is the first (only?) photo from (presumably) Cinelli that features the epic, one year only, sold as a frameset only, peak of late 80s Miami Vice Nagel style design frame! And it's in the Cinelli Book!!!!!

I just had to share....



Now if I could just find that beautiful lycra onesie to wear when I ride it... all would be right in world.

repechage

correcting those Deltas… I am not sure what to suggest, generic pads and holders have been substituted, the dimension from the rim surface to arm is not enough, why the calipers are not aligned with the upper brake body, this will leave you with diminished power when you want it, less mechanical advantage. Maybe parts from other calipers that use the “orbital” pad adjuster washers that take up some distance.

when I first saw these I was thinking Cinelli was channeling Dario Pergoretti.

Steel Charlie

That looks suspiciously like a Modonico "M" in the serial number.

CriticalThought

Well... surprise surprise.

In an early 1990s Cinelli catalog there are a couple of pages labeled "I fans di Cinelli" and there's my frame, nicely built out... in the hands of Fidel Castro!

I had no idea Fidel was a "fan of Cinelli". Too funny.

I just had to share... I'll see if I can post of a few of the other pics in the Celebrities On Bikes thread.

kroozer 

I heard that most 90's Cinelli's were built in Giovanni Losa's shop. He was a top-notch builder, but his name seldom appeared on his frames.
Cromor is the same steel as SL, but seamed. Supposedly the seamed tubes are just as good as the seamless, just a little cheaper to make. I had an Olmo with Cromor, it was labeled Matrix, but they got sued by Trek and had to change the name. I thought it rode great.

SharpByCoop 

I agree with all: This is a GREAT score. Good scouting!

Forgive my intrusion... What am I seeing here? Are these an adjunct to the existing brakes, kind of like the extra levers on vintage Weimann's?

BOTH sets of brake levers work? I've never seen such.



Thanks.

Coop

CriticalThought

Yep SharpByCoop . That's exactly what they are. They allow the cable to pass through and effectively pull on the housing to apply the brakes without interfering with (anything but the aesthetics of!) the Campy levers.

mpetry912 

yes, I think these were made by Mondonico. The seat stay attachment is the tell.

still a fairly nice bike but outside of classic period.

I have a set of "real" Delta pads available

/markp

SharpByCoop 

Thanks for the clarity.

Well, they are brilliant engineering, and they solve a concern for many (including me) however.....

These are FUGLY. Really out of synch with the Euro look.

mpetry912 

those inline levers prolly made the stopping power available from the Delta brakes ... even worse !

and I think you have Syncho 2 shift levers as well.

interesting mix

/markp

Bikecycler

I found the same bike but in a different colorway. It’s a salmon/pink instead of the blue. I have been scouring the internet for a while but haven’t actually found that color posted anywhere.

Apparently it was a display in the early 90s and built up in the early 2000s with mavic derailleurs and some shimano parts.

It’s a bit weird but I absolutely love it.